~Zaraline's PoV~1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP3iq1rz7g
After witnessing the battle at Alderas through the pool, Grindyr and I sat back on the edge of the pool. Both of us were silent for some moments. Finally, though, Grindyr spoke.
"Truly the son of Eion, I daresay."
"Yeah," I replied, pulling my knees to my chest. I was relieved that things turned out well, or at least for the most part. "Someone had to see him fly into the storm and use the staff like that. Rumors are going to spread like wildfile in Alderas."
"Yes, they most likely will. I am sure Marius can handle him-" Grindyr abruptly stopped. I looked back to see the features of Grindyr squinched up.
"What's wrong?"
"The blank spot in my prophetic vision. It's happening now. It was not supposed to occur for another few months." Grindyr seemed immensely distressed, the dragon's breathing coming in rapid bursts. I didn't even get a chance to say anything, before a deafening boom resonated across the land. My gaze snapped to where I was sure it had come from. A visible wave of some sort of force swept over the land. In its wake, the greenery turned to snow. Terror wracked my body and I curled up, expecting to be obliterated. The only thing I felt was a rush of piercing cold air sweep over my form.
It took me a moment to pull myself together, before I raised my head. The pond was frozen over, and snow covered the ground around us. Grindyr was wheezing, his head held between his claws. I pushed myself up on shaky legs, and made my way over, hugging the top of his head.1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwuyZ2mtOa
"We're fine, Grindyr, you've got to calm down. We need to figure out what happened." My voice was shaky, but I tried my hardest to sound calm, even though I was far from calm. 1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQI9azmDje
It took him a long while, and even when I started to lose feeling in my legs and arms, I stayed with him. Finally though, he seemed to calm down. His cobalt eyes were wide as saucers.1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LArhuM8Iw
"The Weygates," he said. "Impossible." He wasn't making any sense,1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6MG6W99vT
"What about them?"1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoUzkBF5eZ
"They are what makes the Wildlands the way it is... Was. They protect it from the bite of being in the north."1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc1BGYOHu9
"...Are you saying?" My eyes widened. If this meant what I thought it did... What was strong enough to face off against those creatures that guarded the Weygates?1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G8vEZ1ngm
"Someone destroyed one, yes."1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIjparXq6n
I felt a familiar presence brush against my mind. Rioric. My gaze snapped to the willow tree.1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vP5txBxTI
Why is it so cold? What's happened? He asked. I informed him of what Grindyr had just informed me. He was silent some moments thereafter.1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYHWZmZ9Sp
...Impossible. 1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEygvcuYUw0
"Hey!" My attention snapped to Morganna, who came running to us from the tower. She had a fur coat on, and had one in hand."Are you lot alright?"1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSi69Dhr7Q
"R-really cold," I replied, wrapping my arms around myself as my teeth began chattering. Morganna handed me the coat, which I quickly wrapped myself in. "Fine though." 1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1xKmujyTr
"It's happening Morganna, the blank spot in my vision."1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xir9caaFC
"This is grave news indeed... Someone is attacking the Weygates." 1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijwtqlC2CG
Who would be bold enough to do that? And strong enough to succeed? Rioric's voice echoed in my head. The only things capable of destroying them are the dragons and the power of a god. 1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy61SNar3Pj
I have no idea, I told him. 1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCUjNULe9p
"We need to investigate," Grindyr said. 1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcWNGvErRb
"We do." Morganna turned to me. "Zaraline, you must stay here. It is unsafe for you to come with us." 1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQKmzfdwwU
"But-"1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7IRDpYjrC
"No. Whoever or whatever is strong enough to destroy a Weygate is too dangerous, and we don't want you to get killed." She turned to Grindyr. "Let me gather my things, and we will leave immediately." Then, Morganna pivoted on her heel and spedwalk back to the tower.1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUgcCtKI3v
She isn't wrong, Zaraline. You are unskilled, and have yet to undergo the pilgrimage to become a Blessed. You wouldn't do much to help, Rioric hummed.1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMp6VWdjrL
I know, but I hate to feel useless, sitting back here and doing nothing.1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXS6rI0G3M
As is only natural. Fret not. You won't be here alone.1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTHJfVNQeo
I looked over at Grindyr. He was pacing, his tail flicking back and forth. "It's going to be okay, Grindyr. Between you and Morganna, I'm sure you will be able to stop whoever is destroying the Weygates."1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUFzwkmgwI
"Don't. Nobody is sure. Not even I. And it is my purpose to be sure," Grindyr snapped. I didn't know what to say to that. He made a fair point.1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBwAAJUp8e
Soon enough though, Morganna came back. She gave to me a small mirror. Runes were etched into the silver frame. It was clearly enchanted.1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUIqpMEW3E
"What is this?"1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5jzq480R1
"It's an enchanted mirror. It's linked to this one." She pulled out a small mirror, similar to the one I had with identical runes etched int the frame. "It's used to communicate over long distances using the incantation on the back." I flipped the mirror over as she said that. Sure enough, on the back was an incantation carved into place. It was a simple one. "You won't be kept in the dark, Zaraline."1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrMPd0eOW1
I looked to her, smiling. "Thank you, Morganna."1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLT5GIkj0Y
She smiled back, though it was a brief smile. She gave me a quick hug, before stepping back. "You're welcome, dear. Stay here and stay warm, hmm? I imagine it will only get colder from here on out."1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeAXLRSKyA
I nodded. Morganna stepped away, removing her long fur coat, now nude in the snow. However, it was only for a second, before her form shifted and morphed, before growing larger as it took on a violet hue. She was only a half the size of Grindyr. Still, it was impressive.1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDle1p6KEaq
She snatched up her coat and her bag in a talon, before taking off. Grindyr took off alongside her. They made their way south, back to the Weygate Mountains.1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ37f23iwkz
They'll be careful. Those two always are, Rioric assured. That didn't do much to ease my worry, however. Fear settled in the pit of my stomach at the uncertainty of it all.1014Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqu1976wuY
